Gray Collegiate boys punch ticket to third straight championship game
Tauris Watson watched last year’s state championship games as a spectator in Colonial Life Arena.
This year, Watson will have a starring role in next week’s title games. The senior scored 16 points and helped Gray Collegiate to a 57-39 win over Andrew Jackson in the Class 2A Upper State title game Saturday at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
Gray plays Whale Branch in the state title game Friday at Colonial Life Arena. The War Eagles will be going for their third straight title. But for guys like Watson, it will be his first chance at a title.
“I’m excited,” Watson said. “It always has been one of my dreams, being a little kid and seeing other players play in it. I was like I want to do that and have the opportunity. It is a dream come true.”
Watson played as a freshman at Chapin then for next two years at White Knoll before transferring to Gray Collegiate. He has fit right in for Dion Bethea’s squad and was needed with the graduation of Division I guards Tommy Bruner and Khalil Robinson, key members of last two year’s championship teams.
Watson averaged 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and two assists this season and had several highlight-reel dunks, including one Saturday that he got called for a technical foul for hanging on the rim.
“His whole work ethic and demeanor is unbelievable,” Bethea said. “He gets out there and plays hard on both ends. We can give him an opportunity to win a state championship his senior year and send him out the right way.”
Latavian Lawrence and Tim Barnes each had 10 points as the War Eagles used their size over the Volunteers. Gray has six players on the roster at 6-foot-5 or better.
Saturday’s game was a rematch from last year’s state-title game won by Gray, 70-38. The War Eagles were in the Upper State this year and Lower State last season.
Tauris Watson 16, Latavian Lawrence 10, Timothy Barnes 10, McDuffie 7, Rhone 4, Howell 4, Kelly 3, White 1, Rogers 1, Parker 1.
This story was originally published February 29, 2020 at 2:24 PM.
